Multilfiltration Bed Replacement (MFBR) System for the International Space Station using Aquaporin Membranes and Humidity Condensate Ersatz Wastewater

The Multifiltration Bed system in the International Space Station (ISS) Water Processor Assembly (WPA) needs to be improved by reducing or eliminating the usage rate of expendable media, removing dimethylsilanediol, and reducing the overall system mass. The Multifiltration Bed Replacement technology is a pressure driven biomimetic membrane based system that is being evaluated to replace the function of the Multifiltration Beds in the ISS WPA. Tests were conducted to determine the performance of the Aquaporin InsideTM Hollow Fiber Module at a 98% water recovery ratio. A long-duration test of the membrane was also conducted to determine membrane life. The feed used for testing was the simulated ISS Marshall Space Flight Center humidity condensate ersatz. All tests operated at ambient temperature and a backpressure of 20 psi. Samples were analyzed for total organic carbon, dimethylsilanediol, acetate, ions, and volatiles including ethanol and acetone. The results